1. MIT was founded April 10, 1861, two days before the start of the Civil War.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xBC-02-402-copy.jpg.pagespeed.ic.jZ-Sa36Dlb.jpg)
2. In 1958, Oliver Smoot (class of ’62) with his Lambda Chi Alpha brothers measured the Harvard bridge. Members of the fraternity maintain the painted marks.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.gocduDhBEo.jpg)
3. While Tony Stark is said to have graduated from MIT “summa cum laude,” MIT does not have any class ranking for its students.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.zymoHmp-4w.jpg)
4. The Infinite Corridor lines up with the plane of the ecliptic twice a year, filling the 0.16 mile hallway with sunlight.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit3.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uEOxjU73LF.jpg)
5. The first human cancer gene discovery took place at MIT. Weinberg found the ras oncogene.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit4.jpg.pagespeed.ic.KtYVBm9gE-.jpg)
6. A Pirate’s License can be granted to MIT students who complete pistol, archery, fencing and sailing classes. While the license existed for 20 years unofficially, it was made official in 2012.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit5.jpg.pagespeed.ic.5yDz1QM1ss.jpg)
7. MIT Invented the first computer in Cambridge in 1928. You can view Whirlwind I at the MIT Museum.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit6.JPG.pagespeed.ic.YBaCeDQm-f.jpg)
8. MIT’s program in architecture was the first established in the U.S.
9. Tetazoo, an East Campus floor, stands for The Third East Traveling Animal Zoo. Known for hacking and a reckless attitude, it’s uncertain if these students are actually zoological.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit7.JPG.pagespeed.ic.pnRZEuYc14.jpg)
10. MIT has earned 203 Academic All America citations, the most for any Division 3 program in the nation.
![](https://www.admitsee.com/uploads/xmit_8.jpg.pagespeed.ic.6C23G4_FZQ.jpg)
Did you go to MIT for college or grad school? If so, create a profile and add your essays and advice to your profile to get paid every time someone views your profile! To best help MIT applicants, include some MIT-specific advice! If you’re interested in MIT, check out our database of admitted profiles.